All We Arehttps://allweare.org
Young People. Changing the World. Join Us.Sun, 29 Jul 2018 19:53:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8https://allweare.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/awa-logo-black-132x140.pngAll We Arehttps://allweare.org
3232An Island of Lighthttps://allweare.org/2018/06/an-island-of-light/
Tue, 05 Jun 2018 23:10:01 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2761Solar’s Impact at Amity Senior Secondary School “When all the electricity is out in the neighborhood, this is an island of light.” The joy on the face of Amity’s headmaster as he spoke those words to us was almost palpable. It was our second day in Uganda, and we were sitting with Headmaster Hussien Kyagulanyi,…

“When all the electricity is out in the neighborhood, this is an island of light.”

The joy on the face of Amity’s headmaster as he spoke those words to us was almost palpable. It was our second day in Uganda, and we were sitting with Headmaster Hussien Kyagulanyi, discussing the impact the SUN program has had on his school and the community.

For Headmaster Hussien, Amity is more than just a school. It is the place he has poured his heart into for the past three years. After 30 years of working as a teacher, he took a leap of faith and started his own school in 2015. Hussien cares deeply about the success and well-being of his students—not only academically, but in every area of their lives. He has worked tirelessly to create a forward-thinking environment, and a safe place for students to flourish.

The Problem of Load Shedding

Load shedding is a common occurrence in Uganda—there is not enough electricity for everyone to use it at the same time, so the power will go out in neighborhoods, often randomly. This affects schools as well, interrupting classes, exams, and studying throughout the day. Most times, there is no way to know when it will happen. Installing a solar light system at Amity has eliminated the load shedding problem, allowing the school to keep the lights on, regardless of power outages on the grid.

One student at Amity shared these thoughts about the solar system:

“We no longer have to worry about load shedding; Amity solar lights the entire school brighter than the hydroelectric power supply lights. The days of crying for the help of lanterns and cursing the fact that we had no standby generator all ceased with our school’s partnership with All We Are, who installed the solar panels that have boosted our lighting system.”

Solving the Water Problem

Previously, the school would purify water by boiling it over an open fire. The likelihood of contamination is much higher using this method, as the water changes hands several times before getting to students. But mostly, there was no way to boil enough water fast enough to satisfy the demand.

With the money they have saved by eliminating their electricity bill, the school has been able to put aside money to provide clean drinking water for the students. They installed a water system, connected to a national grid, at the end of last term. Headmaster Hussien says it comes out as clean as mineral water. The students now carry a water bottle with them that they can easily fill throughout the day. The headmaster believes they will see cases of Typhoid go down drastically with the clean water improvements.

Improving Student Performance

Last year, all eight graduating seniors at Amity passed their exams. Six of them went on to study at universities, and the other two have gone on to tertiary institutions (postsecondary schools). This year, roughly 700 students are enrolled in the school, and 17 will graduate. From a school that started with only 350 students, we’re glad to see such a huge increase in only a few years.

Boosting Confidence in the School

The solar panels have not only made a difference in performance, but they have also helped improve the school’s relationship with parents. Between solar and the new water system, parents’ confidence in the school has improved drastically. There has been a significant increase in parent participation in school affairs, and the payment rate for tuition has also improved.

“The happiness comes from you,” said Mary Ssebadduka, past president of the Rotary Club of Nateete-Kampala, one of our partners on the ground. “I don’t have the words to thank you. Maybe in Ugandan I could find the words, but in English I don’t have the words.”

Amity has even become a landmark of sorts for the community— “The school with the solar panels.”

Our team is inspired by Headmaster Hussien’s compassion for his students’ education and well-being. We are thrilled that our SUN program has helped this community of hard-working students and teachers to thrive.

]]>The Thirteenth Day: Reflections from Two Weeks in Africahttps://allweare.org/2018/04/the-13th-day/
Tue, 03 Apr 2018 23:29:03 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2640Over a month ago we returned from our yearly trip to Africa. In some ways it feels like we’ve just returned and in other ways it feels like a lifetime since the trip. Either way, we left behind old and new friends, smiling faces and a team that we believe in. On day thirteen of…

Over a month ago we returned from our yearly trip to Africa. In some ways it feels like we’ve just returned and in other ways it feels like a lifetime since the trip. Either way, we left behind old and new friends, smiling faces and a team that we believe in. On day thirteen of the trip, after 6 flights and countless memories – Chelsea wrote these words about her first experience in Africa:

As we’ve trekked this journey over the past couple weeks, we’ve slowly ascended the rungs of development—a phenomenon I’m still wrapping my mind around. We started in southern Uganda, where we witnessed children pulling their drinking water from trash-ridden streams, thousands of people selling goods along the streets to make ends meet, and countless more signs of abject poverty. It is one thing to know that this kind of life exists for millions of people across the globe. It is quite another to bear witness to it.

Despite economic poverty, the people of Uganda have no shortage of those intangible things that make a life rich: love, kindness, generosity, gratitude, and an unwavering hope for the future. In our short time there, we experienced unparalleled hospitality and kindness from dear friends we’ve made over the years, as well as people we were meeting for the first time. We heard firsthand from headmasters, teachers and students about the incredible impact theSUN program has made on their schools. We worked hard to ensure we made the most of our time there, but everyday was truly a reward (as you can see in this walk through video below!). We left feeling inspired and energized, with a clearer understanding of the needs of the communities we serve, and new goals for the future of All We Are.

On our last night in Africa, as we watched the water swallow up the sun at sunset, all I could think was, How incredibly lucky am I? How fortunate am I to be surrounded by amazing friends who share this vision for improving the world? How lucky am I to be living this exact life, in this moment in time? I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve with All We Are. I’m endlessly thankful for the supporters who believe in our work. And I can’t wait until the next time I am back in the Ugandan sun with my amazing teammates, who double as some of my most cherished friends.

For more updates from the team about our trip check out #AWAtakesAF! We also have an Instagram story highlight where you can see what we were up to during our two weeks abroad. To learn more about the “why” behind our trip check out this article.

]]>Why Do We Go to Africa?https://allweare.org/2018/02/why-do-we-go-to-africa/
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:31:52 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2588As our team prepares to travel to Africa this week, many of us have been asked some form of the question: “Why are you going?” On a practical level, it’s a different reason for each of us. Some of us are engineers, whose participation will help our team further develop our solar program. Others are…

As our team prepares to travel to Africa this week, many of us have been asked some form of the question: “Why are you going?”

On a practical level, it’s a different reason for each of us. Some of us are engineers, whose participation will help our team further develop our solar program. Others are heads of new projects, including our girls’ empowerment program and our soon-to-be-launched water project. Some of us are creatives, whose participation helps communicate our story to our supporters.

On a deeper level, we are all going to Africa for the same reason. We are all going because we believe in the work of All We Are. We understand the power of education and have a deep desire to help schools improve attendance and student performance. We are going to Africa because we are passionate about helping enable the youth to shape the future of their communities.

As a nonprofit dedicated to sustainability and empowering local communities, it’s vital to us that our supporters understand that we are going into these communities for the right reasons. All too often we see groups travel to developing areas of the world with their own agendas and ideas for how development should occur. Sometimes, despite noble intentions, these endeavors can do more harm than good. It is our utmost priority to ensure that this is not the case for All We Are. So, here’s why we go to Africa:

We don’t go to Africa to take selfies with people who are less fortunate than us, to compromise their dignity just to generate a few more Instagram likes.

We go to build relationships with the resilient, innovative and talented people who desire to better their communities through sustainable development.

We don’t go to Africa to shout our ideas at the people we believe need our help, or to force western standards of living upon them without a second thought.

We go to listen. To open our ears to the needs of community members who understand their situation much better than we ever could from the outside looking in. We go to Africa to listen to their stories, their struggles and their ideas.

We don’t go to Africa to take over, to impose, or to undermine the authority of community leaders.

We go to partner with them. To bolster their schools and communities, in ways that make a tangible difference in the lives of students and families.

We don’t go to Africa to do a project on our own terms and then head home, feeling good about our accomplishments and ready to get on with our lives.

We go to help build sustainable change, to ignite hope in schools, which reverberates into families and echoes across communities. We go because the future of these schools and communities is in the hands of the bright, capable people of Africa. We go because giving them ownership over their projects and equipping them to care for them is the most effective way to ensure sustainability over the long-term.

And that’s our reason. That’s what unites this motley assortment of folks spread out all over the country—what lights us up and thrills us and makes us believe traveling across the world is a worthy endeavor.

We hope you follow our trip via email and social media. If you’d like to be put on our email update list, Kampala in Our Shoes, please email awa.in.ug@gmail.com. Follow @awanonprofit and #AWAtakesAF on Instagram to stay up to date on our daily activities abroad. We are excited to share our updates with you and let you know how your support is impacting lives in Africa!

]]>33 Amazing Things that Happened in 2017https://allweare.org/2018/01/2017-year-in-review/
Thu, 18 Jan 2018 22:09:38 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2538As we excitedly head into the new year as an organization, it is a great opportunity to look back at all we accomplished in 2017. Last year was All We Are’s biggest year ever, and we are thrilled to build upon these successes in 2018. Last year, we added one full-time team member, worked with…

As we excitedly head into the new year as an organization, it is a great opportunity to look back at all we accomplished in 2017. Last year was All We Are’s biggest year ever, and we are thrilled to build upon these successes in 2018. Last year, we added one full-time team member, worked with five interns, launched Every Girl, installed solar at 9 schools, raised over $75,000, held a campaign to support our in-country team, and took a trip to Uganda. On top of school, work, and life, our team worked tirelessly to iron out details and make this all happen. But beyond our incredible team are the hearts and support of those who believe in the work that we do. Without our supporters, none of this would have been possible. We invite you to look back on 2017 with us and continue to stand with All We Are in the years to come.

JANUARY

23rd: Our HR Director, Carris, spoke to members of the Junior Statesmen of America Chapter at Findlay High School.

FEBRUARY

3rd-5th: We upgraded New ABC Divine Boarding School’s solar system and installed 66 new LED lights at the school

6th: We officially launched our Every Girl program with our very first distribution, providing 130 girls at three schools with educational materials and pads. Our first pamphlet gave information about program directors Cherrelle and Rachel, information on puberty, and how to use a sanitary pad.

12th-19th: #AWATAKESUG17! Ten members made their way to Kampala. During our time in Uganda, we help a soccer tournament, visited several of our partner schools, and made lasting memories. Most importantly we spent quality time as a team.

MARCH

10th: Our second Every Girl distribution was made by our newly hired In-Country Every Girl coordinator Moreen Kasumba.

APRIL

7th: After our trip to Uganda and getting to talk to girls in our Every Girl program, we realized the true value of the educational pamphlets. So with our third Every Girl distribution, we decided to include holistic pain management tactics.

MAY

17th: Our Every Girl intern Julia held an awareness event, Coffee for the Girls, at Adda Coffee + Tea House in Pittsburgh. She talked about how we are working to empower and educate girls through our Every Girl program.

22nd: Henry, our youngest full-time team member, donated his 19th birthday to help fund a solar installation. He raised $450!

JUNE

6th: We held a drink for a cause event at Lynnwood Brewing in Raleigh, NC and $1 per pint went to us. It was a fun event and a lot of friends and family came to support!

12th: Our fourth Every Girl distribution was a success and we included information about body positivity to help boost the girls’ confidence.

JULY

10th: With our fifth Every Girl distribution we included a survey to better understand how our program was helping these students.

22nd: Eight year old Zoey and six year old Mya Beets hosted a fundraiser with the goal to provide three solar panels for a school during upcoming installations. They raised over $600!

28th-30th: #AWAMEETUP17! We had a team meetup in Raleigh and nearly the entire team was able to attend. As an organization located all over the country, we don’t get the chance to strategize our programs and processes in-person. Some of us were meeting for the first time in-person!

AUGUST

8th: Our sixth Every Girl distribution included information about biological and puberty differences, how to support other girls, and a spotlight section about Moreen.

NOVEMBER

6th: With our eighth Every Girl distribution, we included a pamphlet about safety and awareness tips. We really wanted to stress the concept of “no means no.”

8th: Nathan spoke to students at Heritage High School that are in Operation Wisdom, a group dedicated to develop globally conscious students through service-based learning. We are happy to welcome four students from Heritage as interns this Winter!

16th-17th: We completed our Fourth installation of Solar Season 3 at Kinaawa Parents Academy in Kinaawa Wakiso district. We installed a total of 20 LED lights.

28th: We launched our #ALLWEGIVE fundraiser on Giving Tuesday and raised over $3,000 to support our in-country team in one day!

30th: With students taking exams and wrapping up the school year, we completed our ninth and final Every Girl distribution for 2017.

SCENES FROM 2017

If you supported All We Are in any capacity in 2017, thank you! Our work is only possible when our partners and supporters believe in our vision, and come together to help us create sustainable change in Uganda. Here’s to an even better 2018!

]]>These 5 Students Will Change the Course of Tomorrowhttps://allweare.org/2017/12/these-students-will-change-tomorrow/
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 18:36:32 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2466 As a group of young people, we love working with students who are also passionate about service work. Our fall interns have been a driving force behind many of our projects and share our need to create a better world. We want to introduce you to these five high school and college students who…

As a group of young people, we love working with students who are also passionate about service work. Our fall interns have been a driving force behind many of our projects and share our need to create a better world. We want to introduce you to these five high school and college students who have been a part of our team for the past few months. It has been our pleasure to guide this dream team to realize their potential and spark their interest in international development.

I recognized young people doing such great work alongside their busy daily lives and it gave me inspiration to get involved and make a difference!

What is something that you’re working on right now with All We Are?

My internship project! I am organizing an assembly at my school to spread awareness and get more kids my age excited for volunteer work. I want to let my classmates know just how fortunate we are to have easy access to education and feminine hygiene products.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love exercising and spending time with my pets!

What do you think you have learned so far by working with All We Are?

Young girls all over the world are in need of empowerment and education. Also, it is never too late to start something new and exciting to help others.

Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in charity?

Giving back helps us stay humble and grateful. How do we expect our society to improve if we all aren’t contributing in some way?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Stabilized in my career and traveling the world.

BEN MASTROROCCO

School: Quaker Valley High School

Hometown: Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Team: Engineering

“Be truthful, gentle, and fearless.” – Mahatma Ghandi

Why did you want to work with All We Are?

I am very interested in renewable energy. I heard that All We Are is using renewable energy to empower students in Uganda and I decided to do what I could to help.

What is something that you’re working on right now with All We Are?

I am trying to learn about how our solar systems work so I can help the team trouble shoot problems.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I play guitar and hang out with my friends. It is my senior year of highschool so I am also making an effort to go to all of my school’s sporting events.

What do you think you have learned so far by working with All We Are?

I have learned that nobody has an excuse not to be the change they want to see in the world. Before I met Nathan, I felt powerless to change the world in a meaningful way. All We Are is proof that everyone has the power to change the world no matter who they are or how old they are.

Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in charity?

It gives young people a better global perspective of how our lives compare to the lives of people living in other parts of the world.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I want to be a Chemical Engineer figuring out a way to make renewable energy more cost effective and ubiquitous.

GABBY ADAMS

School: Carrboro High School

Hometown: Carrboro, North Carolina

Team: Kickin’ It Back/Water

“Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values.” – Ellen DeGeneres

Why did you want to work with All We Are?

It was empowering for me as a young person, to see other young people who share my passion for helping people. Participating in something that could really have a positive impact on our world inspired me to want to work with All We Are.

What is something that you’re working on right now with All We Are?

As of now I am the president of an All We Are club at my high school! We focus on fundraising for various projects, specifically water. We are also helping with the drafting process for the water needs assessment.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like playing sports, painting and thrift shopping.

What do you think you have learned so far by working with All We Are?

I have learned so much from working with All We Are. I have learned that there is a right and wrong way nonprofits can help other people, how to successfully organize a fundraiser, and I also have begun harnessing my public speaking skills. Most importantly this internship with All We Are confirmed my belief that change truly does start with us.

Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in charity?

I think a couple of things our society lacks are compassion and understanding. Charity is a great way to gain perspective on both of these. Charity allows us to understand how others live, hopefully instilling a gratefulness inside of themselves for their good fortune. It is important to do things for others and charity allows people to help their global community.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Helping people to improve their lives in some form.

JESSICA JOYCE

School: High Point University

Hometown: West Hartford, CT

Team: Every Girl.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou

Why did you want to work with All We Are?

I love that All We Are is getting my generation more involved in service. I wanted to be a part of the Every Girl. team in particular because women’s education shouldn’t be a privilege any longer, anywhere in the world.

What is something that you’re working on right now with All We Are?

Right now the Every Girl. team is working on the last few educational pamphlets to finish up our successful first year! Then we can begin to think about the future of the program, which will hopefully include the development and production of biodegradable pads.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my down time, I’m usually reading or spending time with friends and family.

What do you think you have learned so far by working with All We Are?

I’ve learned that understanding, and respecting, different cultures is vital in communicating. When creating educational pamphlets for the young girls in Uganda, I quickly realized the way we approach concepts must take into consideration their different experiences.

Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in charity?

It’s important for young people to get involved in charitable causes because it promotes the experience of empathy and it is never too early to learn this. Always pay it forward!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

It’s hard to think this far in advance because I’m still young and open to anything, but in 10 years I hope to be in love with my job and happy with the life I am living.

]]>How an Email Typo Led to an 8 Year Old Charityhttps://allweare.org/2017/07/email-typo-8-year-old-charity/
Fri, 14 Jul 2017 11:02:33 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2331 As All We Are celebrates a birthday today and with my 25th Birthday only a few weeks away, I have enjoyed reflecting on the humble beginnings of our organization. In fact, I filtered through old emails and found the conversation eight years ago that started it all. With how saturated our news outlets currently are,…

As All We Are celebrates a birthday today and with my 25th Birthday only a few weeks away, I have enjoyed reflecting on the humble beginnings of our organization. In fact, I filtered through old emails and found the conversation eight years ago that started it all. With how saturated our news outlets currently are, I thought I would save you any redacted email screenshots. Ok, here is a peek…

How different would my life be today if Renee had just chosen to skip over my email as every other organization did? “Oh he is just a kid.” What if Renee was a real grammarian who could not look past me spelling “Computers” wrong? Luckily for me, Renee responded and has been supportive of my ideas ever since. She told me about her organization, the African Rural Schools Foundation, and their school in Kampala, Uganda.

Two days later I decided to launch All We Are.

When we act without hesitation our minds and hearts are connected. Sometimes the voice of reason doesn’t come from the crowd of people on shore who told you not to jump, it comes from within us.

Over the years we have been successful thanks to the support and guidance provided by Renee and countless people like her. Of course, my parents who instilled empathy and a sense of initiative in my brother, sister, and I when we were growing up. Judy Withrow, who guided me as a high-school student who could neither sit still or proof-read his papers. To my mentor, Deborah Schultz, in Cincinnati who helped All We Are grow from a newly founded non-profit to what it is today. And I must mention all the incredible friends in Rotary I have made along the way.

We have brought light, stability, and opportunities to our partner schools in Uganda. We now look half-way across the world to an All We Are family of thousands of Uganda’s children who are not much younger or different than us.

In February 2018, I will have the honor of traveling to Uganda with All We Are to meet Renee and her organization in Kampala one last time. After several successful years of working in Uganda. Renee will retire and our organizations will be merged into one vehicle of change.

These past eight years have proved challenging at times, but I have been rewarded with some of the greatest gifts of life; perspective, empathy, and passion. We find these things in every corner of the world. We have started in Uganda but who knows where this journey will take us. All We Are “The Pre-Teen” has made some incredible leaps. Where will the 16 year old All We Are end up once we learn how to drive? Should you watch out for All We Are when we turn 21? Certainly.

Wherever we end up, I hope to look around and have the same people beside me driving All We Are forward. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and for believing in a group of young people who refuse to sit idly by.

Reach down and make sure your seatbelt is fastened. We are in for the long haul.

]]>A Leadership Journey: Spotlight on Nambuli Rogershttps://allweare.org/2017/06/spotlight-on-nambuli-rogers/
Fri, 09 Jun 2017 18:13:02 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=2326We at All We Are are continually inspired by the people we meet through our projects and trips to Uganda. Passionate teachers and headmasters make an incredible impact on their students, fellow teachers, and communities. They also help further the success of our sustainable development programs at their schools. For the past two years, we’ve…

We at All We Are are continually inspired by the people we meet through our projects and trips to Uganda. Passionate teachers and headmasters make an incredible impact on their students, fellow teachers, and communities. They also help further the success of our sustainable development programs at their schools. For the past two years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Nambuli Rogers, the Headmaster at Mackay Memorial Primary School. His spirit and perseverance have helped pave to the way toward better conditions for the students at Mackay. His story is far from finished, but Rogers has already made an impact on countless students, parents, teachers and nonprofits since he arrived at Mackay in 2012.

Learned from the Best

Rogers was inspired to teach by his father—a well-respected teacher, headmaster and priest in his community. He watched his father build a legacy at his school and throughout the community. Once Rogers began teaching, he strived to emulate his father’s selflessness and create his own mark as a teacher. With this drive and mindset, Rogers quickly rose through the ranks and landed a position heading several different departments. The next logical step was to apply for a position as deputy head teacher in Kampala. Not surprisingly, he got the job.

Called to do Good

Rogers settled into his new position with ease and continued to make strides in the school where he worked. He figured that after working for a few more years, he’d eventually apply for the position of Head Teacher. As he was pondering this, Rogers was approached by the Division Education Officer, who requested that he transfer to another school.

The Ugandan government introduced the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program in 1997 to increase enrollment and completion in primary schools. Since most families in Uganda have more than four children, the number of primary students shot up. Although having more kids in school is great theoretically, the unfortunate reality was that the schools’ infrastructures weren’t ready for such a massive influx of students. The sharp rise in students led to unsafe classroom settings, poor achievement levels and untrained teachers. Now, to help revive these struggling schools, the administrators of Ugandan government schools often move talented teachers and Headmasters to schools experiencing these hardships.

Mr. Nsereko proposed three schools for Rogers to transfer to. One in particular stood out to Rogers—the school in the worst condition, with the poorest student performance. Rogers saw this school as his opportunity to do the most good, instead of a hopeless situation. The school was Mackay Memorial Primary School, and Rogers has been there ever since.

The Story of the Cave

Mackay Memorial Primary School is named after the missionaryAlexander Mackay, who is credited with planting the roots of Christianity and formal education in Uganda. Mackay worked at the Martyrs Church, located on the same grounds as the school. He would print the gospel of St. Matthew, including versions translated into Luganda, to teach reading, writing and religion to the locals. When the relationship between the Ugandan kingdom and Christian missionaries went sour, Mackay dug a cave 150 meters below his quarters to secretly continue his teachings. He also built tunnels to help him escape if religious persecutors came for him and a spring to fetch water. Today, you can see a mural painted of Mackay preaching atop the hill just above the cave. The Albion hand-proofing printing press that Mackay used is displayed at the Ethnographic Section of the Ugandan Museum. Despite the historical significance of the school, Mackay Memorial had fallen victim to the outcome of the UPE program, experiencing low grades and unsound classrooms.

Mackay’s Rise to Success

In August of 2012, Rogers visited Mackay Memorial Primary with his wife. He was shocked by the poor conditions of the grounds. However, Rogers was determined to overcome every obstacle, and he began making improvements immediately. He installed a security fence, repainted the entire school, and repaired leaking roofs and floors with holes. He then set his sights on improving student performance.

School Conditions

“When I arrived here in 2012, there was no school lunch. I entered a P7 class after lunch and out of the 65 students who were in this stream [class], only four had lunch, because the lunch was optional and the students had to pay for it. The 61 other students were hungry and could not focus or internalize anything. They were not learning, they were yawning,” says Rogers.

Rogers also noticed that there was not a single student with a first grade [high score] on their Primary Leaving Exam (PLE). After convincing the parents and administration to include a mandatory lunch in school fees, 12 students received first grades within the year. Students were happier, performing better and could give full focus to their studies.

Building a Legacy

Fast forward five years to now, and Mackay Memorial Primary has started to build its own legacy. Since the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) can transfer Rogers just as easily as he was placed there, he’s had to fight to stay. Both times this happened, the community knew how important Rogers was to the school, and the transfers were cancelled.

With the lights from our 2016 solar installation, Mackay Memorial Primary School will only continue to triumph over their hardships. They no longer struggle to pay electric bills or experience blackouts. Mackay is also one of the schools involved in our Every Girl. program. Nambuli Rogers started rewriting Mackay Memorial’s story long ago. We only helped him write another chapter.

Mackay Memorial’s motto is “Temudda Nnyuma,” which means “Always forward, never back” Rogers encourages his staff and students to keep looking forward, never back. But if you do happen to look back, you’ll see how far Mackay Memorial Primary has come, thanks to Nambuli Rogers’ vision, hard work and dedication.

Scenes from Mackay today

]]>Di Maria’s Journeyhttps://allweare.org/2016/07/di-marias-journey/
Wed, 06 Jul 2016 07:16:39 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=1291This is Di Maria. His real name is Asaba Ivan, and earned his nickname after the famous Argentinian soccer player Ángel Di Maria through his standout talent. He is 15 years old and has recently graduated from ABC Divine Primary School, an AWA school in Mutundwe, Uganda. He now attends Kibili Secondary School—locally known as…

His real name is Asaba Ivan, and earned his nickname after the famous Argentinian soccer player Ángel Di Maria through his standout talent. He is 15 years old and has recently graduated from ABC Divine Primary School, an AWA school in Mutundwe, Uganda. He now attends Kibili Secondary School—locally known as Baanaz—in Kampala.

If you thought that this was a typical introduction to the narration of a 15-year-old Ugandan boy, you are mistaken. In areas where Kickin’ It Back operates, poverty is prevalent and unemployment rates are very high. Many families are unable to afford school fees for their children, who often resort to unhealthy ways to fill their time and minds.

Ivan’s family is no exception. They live in an impoverished area of Uganda and are unable to afford the costs of schooling. However, Ivan showed promise in his soccer ability, and was able to earn an athletic scholarship to attend ABC Divine in 2008 to continue his education and hone his skills.

Here, Ivan grew into a great soccer player, and earned the nickname Di Maria. Over the past few years, he has helped ABC Divine establish themselves as one of the top primary schools in the Kampala area. However, as his primary school was coming to an end in 2016, so was his scholarship, and he was faced with the possibility of not being able to afford further education once more. When presented with the opportunity though, Di Maria was ready to take it, just as he had done in the past.

During his final semester of primary school, Di Maria and ABC Divine attended the 2016 All We Are Cup in Kampala. In the audience was the headmaster of Kibili Secondary School, who saw Di Maria play and shortly afterward, offered him a scholarship to continue his education and athletics at Kibili Secondary School.

A few weeks ago, Kibili participated in a country-wide tournament sponsored by Coca-Cola and won the championship! At this tournament, there were scouts searching for talented players for professional teams. Di Maria is now in contact with the Kyadondo soccer team—which is participating in Masaza Cup—whose participants are mostly professional adults, and his future is very bright.

Di Maria’s story highlights “why we do what we do” with our KIB program, and how we can open similar doors for more children throughout the world. We believe that what we do at KIB is a great way to not only help kids enjoy the game of soccer and foster their skills, but also to keep them off the streets of the slums, and further their education. KIB is more than a soccer program—it’s a way to bring hope to the children who need it most.

]]>2016 All We Are Cuphttps://allweare.org/2016/05/2016-all-we-are-cup/
Tue, 03 May 2016 07:20:47 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=1294On Monday, January 25, 2016 we held our second annual All We Are Cup in Kampala, Uganda. Over 400 lbs of equipment was distributed to the 9 schools who participated, which included 53 pairs of cleats, 45 balls, and 180 full kits (jerseys, shorts and socks). Check out recap video below! Congratulations to ABC Divine for…

]]>On Monday, January 25, 2016 we held our second annual All We Are Cup in Kampala, Uganda. Over 400 lbs of equipment was distributed to the 9 schools who participated, which included 53 pairs of cleats, 45 balls, and 180 full kits (jerseys, shorts and socks). Check out recap video below!

Congratulations to ABC Divine for winning the tournament for the second year in a row, and thank you to all the teams which participated:

ABC Divine Primary School

Bright Community Primary School

Busega Primary School

Kasenge School

Kikajjo SDA High School

Kingstone High School

Mukono Parents School

Mutundwe Primary School

Oasis Valley Primary School

Team All We Are (six members from the United States, and teachers from 4 schools)

]]>Why Does Solar Matter?https://allweare.org/2015/06/why-does-solar-matter/
Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:24:38 +0000https://allweare.org/?p=1245 If you follow All We Are, you’ve probably heard of our solar program, Solarize Uganda Now (SUN). Our goal with SUN is to bring solar energy to 50 schools over the next 10 years, providing a cheap and clean light source for thousands of African students. So that sounds great, but maybe you’re still…

If you follow All We Are, you’ve probably heard of our solar program, Solarize Uganda Now (SUN). Our goal with SUN is to bring solar energy to 50 schools over the next 10 years, providing a cheap and clean light source for thousands of African students.

So that sounds great, but maybe you’re still asking the question, Why does it matter? With so many problems out there in the world, you might be wondering why All We Are is committed to tackling the issue of solar energy. If so, here’s a quick explanation of what makes our solar program impactful:

It’s a much safer alternative to the other available options. Electricity is very costly and hard to come by, so many people in Africa opt for dangerous kerosene lamps. Kerosene is toxic—so much so that using a kerosene lamp for one year is the equivalent of inhaling the black carbon from 298 cigarettes. Kerosene also emits a very dim light, so working, studying or reading at night causes strain on the eyes. Solar provides a safe, clean alternative that is much more cost-effective and eliminates the health hazards associated with kerosene.

It improves performance in schools. A safe, well-lit environment makes it easier for students to study after dark, as well as for teachers to grade papers and write lesson plans. The introduction of solar lights in schools has already been proven to have a profound positive impact on schools in Sudan, among other places.

The cost savings allows for money to be spent on other things. Schools that save money with a solar light system can use the money they would otherwise have spent on expensive electricity or kerosene lighting on things that will help improve students’ experiences, such as books and classroom supplies.

It kicks off community development. In much of rural Africa, schools are looked up to as leaders in the community. If a development project succeeds at a school and parents see the positive effect it’s having on their children, there is a good chance that more development will occur throughout the community. Check out this great article from World Bank on the effects solar had on a community in Sudan.

It’s sustainable. Solar is renewable energy, so creating a solar light system for a school sets them up with a reliable source of light that, with proper care and maintenance, will last for many years to come.

By bringing solar to schools in Uganda, All We Are is providing more than just light bulbs. We’re working to improve the lives of students and entire communities by jump-starting development through solar. That’s the real power of SUN.